HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - CC - 09/18/2014 Cohasset Conservation Meeting September 18, 2014
Date: Thursday, September 18,2014
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Town Hall Basement Meeting Room
41 Highland Avenue
Cohasset, MA
Commissioners Present: Jack Creighton, Chairman
Alex Koines
James Marten
James Gilman
David Farrag
Patrice Vogelman, Associate
Justin Pimpare,Associate
Commissioners Absent: J. Patrick Kennedy,Vice Chairman
Edward Graham
Commissions Consultant Present: CCC/SW Agent, Paul Shea
Chairman Jack Creighton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m.—59 Beach Street NOI #14-27&SWP#14-35
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Carmen Hudson of Cavanar0 Consulting was
present on behalf of the owner of the property as well as Architect Steve Myers. The proposed project
is to construct an addition to the existing detached barn with a patio and to demolish the existing garage
and shed. They would like to replace with a 3 car garage. They also will need to reconfigure the
driveway to access the new garage. They are proposing shallow crushed stone drywells. One for the
garage with an overflow pipe and the other drywell with an overflow pipe that will capture runoff from
the addition. They will supplement the drywells with 600 square feet area of native buffer plantings
located at the edge of the lawn. As for the Stormwater calculations the flow and volume will be
increased slightly because of the poor soils. Paul Shea stated there is a DEP number and they had no
comments. This is a redevelopment project. This is a site where most of the 50' & 100' buffer zone has
been disturbed in the past. They are reducing a lot of impervious areas in the 50' buffer zone. The soils
are tough so it won't have the typical recharge. This project needs a variance for work in the 50' buffer
zone, order of conditions and SWP. Carmen Hudson stated they are increasing the impervious outside
the 50' buffer zone. There is a total increase of 2417 square feet of impervious. They are asking for an
exception on the SWP because of the soils. Paul Shea stated the native buffer plantings will help with
the storm runoff. Alex Koines asked if a crushed stone driveway would be any better. Ms. Hudson
stated it was considered by the client but the maintenance would be an issue. Chairman Creighton
asked what the applicant's hardship is. He feels the site, as it currently exists, cannot support the
Stormwater runoff. The hearing was continued until 10/2/1.4 at 8:00 p.m.
7:20 p.m.—53 Bow Street NOI#14-28
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Carmen Hudson of Cavanaro Consulting was
present on behalf of the owner. She read aloud the letter she submitted to the commission on 9/16.
The homeowner is asking to be put on the October 16`h agenda as she is looking in the process of hiring
a landscaping designer. She asked that the hearing be continued until October 16tn
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Cohasset Conservation Meeting September 18, 2014
7:40 p.m.—118 Beach Street RDA#14-14
Chairman Creighton read aloud the public hearing notice. Paul Trendowicz, owner was present. They
are requesting to put a fence on the southwest property line. The fence will be 6' high and would be
about 30'from the top of the coastal bank. Paul Shea stated this qualifies for a negative 3
determination.
Motion by James Marten to close the hearing and issue a negative 3 determination for the property
located at 118 Beach Street,seconded by Alex Koines and the vote was unanimous.
7:45 p.m.—422 King Street—Show Cause Hearin —Continued
Jamie Siler-422 King Street and Mike Dobbins (friend)-2 Carver St. Halifax were present. Paul Shea
stated he spoke with Ms. Siler yesterday as well as Terry McGovern of Morse Engineering. The property
owner has contacted Morse Engineering and they have submitted a proposal to put together an ATF NOI
and ATF SWP. He also talked with them a little bit about issues with the restoration of the site
concerning the trees that were removed. Morse Engineering stated they will be working with the
existing plan and try and piece together what was there before. There is currently a cease and desist
order on the property. Mr. Shea will wait and see what plan comes in from Morse Engineering.
Chairman Creighton stated he and Mr. Gilman had a site visit. The next day they received a call that
there were more trees being cleared at the property. Ms.Siler stated she had Chris Glenn a licensed
arborist to clear some of the dead trees. Ms.Siler stated she explained the situation with Mr. Glenn and
he said the area they were working does not require approval. Chairman Creighton stated at the site
visit he was very clear that no work was to be done at all. He also stated they commission received a
letter from another property owner that work being done was not Ms.Siler's property. They are
requesting that the commission consider restoration work be done by Ms.Siler.
Motion by David Farrag that as a result of the show cause hearing an ATF NOI and ATF SWP must be
filed by the resident of 422 King Street,seconded by James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
8:00 p.m.—80 Lantern Lane—Continued
Chairman Creighton re-opened the hearing. Attorney Adam Brodsky was present as well as owner Scott
Daniels, Wetland Scientist Chris Lucas and Peter Dillon Hydro-Geologist. The project proposed is for a
small single family home approximately 1100 square feet with a driveway on the left. They will be
removing invasive plantings and creating real habitat. The major challenge is the entire lot is in the 100'
buffer zone to an IVW that has obligate vernal pool species. Therefore, it is treated as a vernal pool
under the local bylaw. It is not a certified vernal pool so it is not regulated at vernal pool habitat under
the Wetlands Protection Act. He stated Paul Shea advised them that they hadn't properly delineated
the resource areas at the rear of the property. Paul Shea stated the existing wetland flagging is not
accurate. There are additional contiguous vegetated wetlands that exist in the field. This is a vernal
pool habitat. There are intermittent stream issues. The vernal pool needs to be certified. The original
owner put a catch basin and pipe in for the intermittent stream flow on the site. Kevin and Jenna Leary
of 79 Lantern Lane stated their concern was that a low value house was being built in the higher value
neighborhood. Also,there is wildlife there such as deer,frogs and turkeys. Paul Shea still questions the
flow and connections. He further stated because it is a vernal pool it should be certified. The issue here
is whether they are considering this an IVW and a vernal pool under the bylaw and not calling it part of
C the state wetland system and involving the DEP. Alex Koines stated this has never been a buildable lot.
He is willing to do a site visit but just because sewer is available doesn't mean houses should be shoe
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Cohasset Conservation Meeting September 18, 2014
horned in, especially where it is so close to the wetlands. James Marten stated he is willing to keep an
open mind and see what benefits can be brought to the site. Paul Shea stated they also need to show
where the Stormwater will go. The issue in contention is whether the commission considers this an IVW
and vernal pool under the bylaw and not calling it part of a state wetland system. The commission
agreed to a continuance so the applicant can address the issues brought up tonight. The hearing is
continued until November 6t"
Documents requiring CCC Approval&Signature
Motion by David Farrag to approve invoices for Paul Shea for August and September,seconded by
Alex Koines and the vote was unanimous.
Topics not reasonably anticipated within 48 hours of CCC meeting
Paul She advised the commission the town has been notified that the harbor dredging project has been
put on hold for this year due to lack of bids on the project.
Motion by James Marten to adjourn,seconded James Gilman and the vote was unanimous.
Minutes approved by the Conservation Commission: F
Signed by CCC Chairman Jack Creighton:
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